reading

For many children, school is now out for summer. If not, they are counting down the days. Studies show that students drop reading levels at the start of a new year from lack of summer reading. Don’t let this happen to a child you know!

Summer is a time of lazy days with more daylight – more light for reading time! Encourage children to keep their mind active over the summer months. Here are just a few reading ideas.

September is National Library Sign-up Month. Oh I’ve had a city library card for years, which I frequently use. Yesterday, I received my library card for my entire county. Hopefully, I’ll get books faster on two waiting lists. There were two women in front of me also getting library cards that sparked the excitement even more. I simply presented my driver’s license as proof of residency and I was given my new magical library card. Of course it’s magical since it has so many uses. I probably picked the card geared for children, yet it made me smile and states ‘I’m a born reader!’. My fingers glided over the simple plastic card and I smiled as I thought of the possibilities.

How do I get a library card?

You need to present a current photo ID and proof residency. Some libraries grant temporary cards for students and visitors. Children 14 and younger can also receive a library card with a parent/guardian signature.

Recently, I’ve had difficulty finding a book that keeps my attention. I start a book then quickly lose interest. Perhaps I’m not giving enough time and effort to determine whether I want to read a book. Last weekend I went to a used bookstore in the hopes that a book would scream from the shelf ‘read me, read me!’ Sadly after spending an hour at the bookstore, no book hooked me. I then thought perhaps I’d visit an old friend and reread a book. Readers gain insight each time the book is read again. This almost worked, but I still wasn’t fully hooked into a book. Here are some recent titles that I started then stopped: Divergent, Catcher in the Rye, Jane Eyre, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Oleander Girl. I’m even embarrassed to say that I didn’t read my last book club book, however I still attended to eat and greet.

Once I began a book, I couldn’t put it down. It was like an addiction; I read while I ate, on the train, in bed until late at night, in school, where I’d keep the book hidden so I could read during class. But I had almost no desire to talk with anyone about the experience I gained through books and music. I felt happy just being me and no one else.

Three Word Book Review: Fun, Humorous, Mysterious

Clay Jannon recently lost his job as a web designer for NewBagel Company. He’s searched online for jobs with no luck until he stumbles upon a simple help wanted sign outside Mr. Penumbra’s 24 Hour Bookstore. It actually is open 24 hours and Jannon works the night shift when hardly anyone enters the bookstore. However, Jannon begins to notice something strange because the individuals who do enter don’t exactly buy the books instead they trade books after giving him unique cards with codes. These individuals and books are so unique that Mr. Penumbra tells Jannon that he cannot read them and must keep a detail log of each individual down to their coat buttons. Jannon is now very curious and attempts to uncover the truth with his friends and technology. Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore is a fun book that makes you think about how today’s technology with ebooks mixes with paper books. Which book version will you read the book in?